SafePlants

Catillaria Lichen

The genus Catillaria encompasses a variety of crustose lichens. Several species are referenced, including Catillaria nigroclavata, Catillaria chalybeia, Catillaria erysiboides, Catillaria lenticularis, Catillaria austrolittoralis, Catillaria flavens, Catillaria stereocaulorum, Catillaria gilbertii, Catillaria nilgiriensis, Catillaria fungoides, Catillaria contristans, Catillaria detractula, Catillaria finckei, Catillaria atomarioides, Catillaria glauconigrans, Catillaria nigroisidiata, Catillaria servitii, Catillaria corymbosa, Catillaria laureri, Catillaria cremea, and Catillaria croatica.

One common name mentioned is "Catillaria Lichen," sometimes specifically referring to Catillaria flavens.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: Fungi (inferred)
• Genus: Catillaria A. Massal.
• Family: CATILLARIACEAE
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms: Some species within the Catillaria genus have synonyms, such as Catillaria nigroclavata = Bacidia declinis = Bilimbia declinis = Lecidea declinis, and Scutula stereocaulorum is a synonym for Catillaria stereocaulorum.

Distribution and Habitat

• Catillaria species are found worldwide, including in the Greater Sonoran Desert, Britain and Ireland, the Iberian Peninsula, Cape Verde, The Netherlands, Turkey, maritime Antarctic regions, Singapore, Taiwan, the Aegean, and the Schirmacher Hills region.
• They inhabit diverse environments, including montane regions, marine and maritime rocks, and even grow on the leaves of plants like Nestegis apetala.
• Some species, like Catillaria corymbosa, are endemic to specific regions, such as the maritime Antarctic.

Morphological Characteristics

• Catillaria lichens are generally crustose, with a thallus that can be 2-5 cm in diameter.
• Catillaria erysiboides appears as tiny black dots on a dark grey or dark olivaceous background.
• The apothecia (fruiting bodies) are very small, sometimes only 0.15 mm in size.

Ecological Role

• Some Catillaria species are corticolous, meaning they grow on tree bark.
• They can be epiphytic, growing on other plants without harming them, as observed in systematic woodlands.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Species of Catillaria and Strigula were found growing on the leaves of Nestegis apetala.
• Catillaria nigroclavata can be found surrounded by a Lecanora species.

Further Information

• British Lichen Society - BLS Lichen Database
• Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region
• Lichens Unlimited
• http://www.stridvall.se/lichens/gallery/Catillaria?page=1